Free 10-Week Creative Enterprise Course

Working with a range of established designers and illustrators, participants will experiment with drawing, lettering, composition and visual storytelling, exploring how images and words can be combined to communicate ideas. Using both analogue and digital processes, participants will develop and refine their own artwork towards a professionally produced collection of printed work, while exploring creativity, design thinking and creative enterprise.

Work With Visiting Creative Practitioners

Throughout the programme, participants will work alongside three visiting creative practitioners, each introducing a different approach to drawing, illustration, typography and contemporary image-making.

Rather than teaching software or traditional graphic design, practitioners will share their own creative practice and support participants through different stages of the creative process.

Across the programme participants will explore:

• generating visual ideas through drawing and experimentation

• developing illustrations, typography and graphic imagery through composition and visual storytelling

• combining analogue and digital processes to refine artwork for professional print

What Will Participants Do?

Participants will experience the creative process behind developing original illustrations, graphic imagery and printed work. Across the ten weeks, the group will:

• experiment with drawing, mark-making, typography and visual composition

• develop ideas through playful making, illustration and visual exploration

• collect inspiration through creative research trips

• explore different approaches to image-making, illustration and design with visiting practitioners

• experiment with combining images, words and lettering to communicate ideas

• develop and refine artwork through both analogue and digital processes

• prepare professional print-ready artwork

• explore exhibition design and creative enterprise

• contribute towards a collaborative London Makers print exhibition

Alongside studio sessions, participants will continue to receive individual support to build confidence, develop creative interests and explore future pathways through Open Studio, volunteering, enterprise and employment.

Course Journey

**Generate & Explore **Experiment with drawing, mark-making, typography, image-making and composition while building a library of visual ideas and creative experiments. Participants begin exploring inspiration through London, collecting colours, textures, architecture, lettering and everyday observations to inform their work.

**Develop & Communicate **Working alongside visiting practitioners, participants begin transforming initial ideas into illustrations, graphic imagery and typographic compositions. Ideas are developed through experimentation, visual storytelling and collaborative studio practice. The programme includes research trips exploring how illustration, typography and printed work are presented and communicated professionally.

**Refine & Print **Participants begin translating their artwork into final print-ready designs through a combination of analogue and digital processes. They will explore how images, lettering and composition can be refined and combined, developing a collection of work ready for professional printing and exhibition.

**Exhibit & Enterprise **Participants produce professionally printed artwork which is presented as part of a London Makers exhibition. The programme concludes by exploring how artwork can be displayed, promoted and sold, while introducing progression into London Makers Open Studio.

Final Outcomes

By the end of the programme, participants will have developed original illustrations, graphic imagery and typographic artwork, bringing their ideas together into a professionally produced collection of printed work. Final works will be exhibited as part of a London Makers print exhibition, celebrating each participant's creative journey.

Selected artwork may also be reproduced as limited-edition prints or adapted into future London Makers products, creating opportunities to explore creative enterprise through exhibitions, markets and Open Studio.

Participants will leave with new creative skills, experience working alongside practising artists, confidence within a professional studio environment, and a clear progression route into London Makers Open Studio.

Open Studio Progression

Alongside the Core Programme, London Makers Open Studio provides a supported creative studio where participants can continue developing artwork beyond the course.

Open Studio offers space to:

·       continue experimenting with graphic image-making

·       refine and expand print collections

·       develop new products

·       prepare work for exhibitions and markets

·       explore enterprise opportunities alongside ongoing creative support

Participants completing the Core Programme are encouraged to progress naturally into Open Studio, allowing their creative practice to continue developing beyond the initial ten weeks.